U.S. patent number 7,222,377 [Application Number 11/095,967] was granted by the patent office on 2007-05-29 for apparatus and method for closing hospital bed gaps.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hill-Rom Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to John P. Biondo, Michael V. Bolden, Gregory W. Branson, Kendra K. Doyle, Gary W. Ferdon, Dennis S. Flessate, Robert T. Fussner, James E. Gilbert, Michael J. Gosmeyer, Reza Hakamiun, David W. Hornbach, Clement J. Koerber, Sr., Kenneth L. Kramer, Patrick J. Minnelli, Donald L. Mobley, Virgil J. Niese, Jackie Robertson, Benjamin Salvatini, Doug H. Smith, Richard B. Stacy, David J. Ulrich, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian T. Wiggins.
United States Patent |
7,222,377 |
Kramer , et al. |
May 29, 2007 |
Apparatus and method for closing hospital bed gaps
Abstract
A patient support is provided. The patient support includes a
frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a set of siderails
configured to block egress of a patient from the patient support.
The siderails are configured to reduce gaps defined between the
siderails and the other components of the patient support.
Inventors: |
Kramer; Kenneth L. (Greensburg,
IN), Fussner; Robert T. (Brookville, IN), Robertson;
Jackie (Batesville, IN), Branson; Gregory W.
(Batesville, IN), Wiggins; Brian T. (Burlington, KY),
Smith; Doug H. (Batesville, IN), Biondo; John P.
(Aurora, IN), Doyle; Kendra K. (Bateville, IN), Stacy;
Richard B. (Batesville, IN), Bolden; Michael V.
(Charleston, SC), Hakamiun; Reza (Charleston, SC),
Koerber, Sr.; Clement J. (Batesville, IN), Gosmeyer; Michael
J. (Batesville, IN), Gilbert; James E. (Metamora,
IN), Mobley; Donald L. (Batesville, IN), Flessate; Dennis
S. (Goose Creek, SC), Ulrich; David J. (Sunman, IN),
Welling; Jeffrey R. (Batesville, IN), Ferdon; Gary W.
(Charleston, SC), Niese; Virgil J. (Batesville, IN),
Salvatini; Benjamin (Summerville, SC), Minnelli; Patrick
J. (Harrison, OH), Hornbach; David W. (Brookville,
IN) |
Assignee: |
Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
(Wilmington, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
26979292 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/095,967 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050166322 A1 |
Aug 4, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10225780 |
Aug 22, 2002 |
7028352 |
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60397342 |
Jul 19, 2002 |
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60314276 |
Aug 22, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/425; 5/430;
5/662; 5/663 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
7/05 (20130101); A61G 7/0507 (20130101); A61G
7/0525 (20130101); A61G 7/053 (20130101); F21S
9/03 (20130101); F21V 21/0824 (20130101); F21V
21/30 (20130101); A61G 7/0509 (20161101); A61G
7/0514 (20161101); A61G 7/052 (20161101); A61G
7/0524 (20161101); A61G 7/103 (20130101); A61G
2200/32 (20130101); F21V 21/06 (20130101); F21W
2131/10 (20130101); Y10T 428/31616 (20150401); Y02B
20/72 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61G
7/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;5/425-430,503.1,658,662,663 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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9407325 |
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Aug 1994 |
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DE |
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199 00 602 |
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Jul 2000 |
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DE |
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0 037 063 |
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Oct 1981 |
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EP |
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1450817 |
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Jun 1966 |
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FR |
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1466080 |
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Mar 1977 |
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GB |
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2 313 303 |
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Nov 1997 |
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GB |
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WO 98/17153 |
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Apr 1998 |
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WO |
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WO 99/15126 |
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Apr 1999 |
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WO |
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WO 01/28483 |
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Apr 2001 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Trettel; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bose McKinney & Evans LLC
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/225,780, filed on Aug. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,352,
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/397,342 filed Jul. 19, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/314,276 filed Aug. 22, 2001, the disclosures of which
are incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A siderail for use with a patient support comprising: a rail
member; a first perimeter cover configured to couple to the rail
member at a first location to define a first perimeter profile of
the siderail; a second perimeter cover configured to couple to the
rail member at the first location when the first perimeter cover is
removed to define a second perimeter profile that is different than
the first perimeter profile; and a linkage configured to permit
raising and lowering of the rail member.
2. The siderail of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first
perimeter profile has a substantially flat portion adjacent the
first location of the rail member and the second perimeter profile
has a substantially curved portion adjacent the first location.
3. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the second perimeter profile
has a greater height and length than the first perimeter
profile.
4. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the second perimeter profile
includes a convex portion.
5. The siderail of claim 4, wherein the second perimeter profile
further includes a concave portion.
6. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the linkage is a clocking
linkage.
7. The siderail of claim 1, further comprising a rail mount adapted
to support the siderail, the rail mount configured to receive a
sub-frame for supporting the siderail on the patient support.
8. The siderail of claim 7, wherein the sub-frame includes a body
member and at least one deck support mount, the at least one deck
support mount configured to receive a deck support from the patient
support.
9. A method of altering a perimeter profile of a siderail including
a rail member comprising the steps of: removing a first perimeter
cover from a location on the rail member; and coupling a second
perimeter cover to the location of the rail member to alter a
perimeter profile of the siderail, wherein the coupling of the
second perimeter cover increases the height and length of the
perimeter profile of the siderail compared to the perimeter profile
before the first perimeter cover was removed.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the second perimeter
cover to the rail member decreases a gap defined between the
siderail and an adjacent siderail.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the second perimeter
cover to the rail member changes a portion of the perimeter profile
from substantially flat before the first perimeter cover was
removed to substantially curved.
12. A patient support comprising: a frame; a deck; a deck support
having at least one post; at least one siderail including a rail
member and at least one perimeter cover; and a sub-frame including
a body member, a first deck support mount adapted to receive the at
least one post, a second deck support mount adapted to couple to
the deck support, the body member extending between the first deck
support mount and the second deck support mount, and a rail mount
adapted to support the at least one siderail.
13. The patient support of claim 12, wherein the rail mount
includes a pair of spaced-apart rods configured to permit sliding
of the at least one siderail thereon.
14. The patient support of claim 12, further comprising a lateral
member configured to extend laterally from the body member.
15. The patient support of claim 14, further comprising another
body member, another first deck support mount adapted to receive
the at least one post of the deck support, another second deck
support mount adapted to couple to the deck support, and a rail
mount adapted to support the at least one siderail, wherein the
lateral member couples the body members together.
16. The patient support of claim 12, wherein the at least one
siderail includes a first perimeter cover configured to couple to
the rail member at a first location to define a first perimeter
profile of the at least one siderail.
17. The patient support of claim 16, wherein the at least one
siderail includes a second perimeter cover configured to couple to
the rail member at the first location when the first perimeter
cover is removed to define a second perimeter profile that is
different than the first perimeter profile.
18. The patient support of claim 17, wherein a portion of the first
perimeter profile has a substantially flat portion adjacent the
first location of the rail member and the second perimeter profile
has a substantially curved portion adjacent the first location.
19. A siderail for use with a patient support comprising: a rail
member; a first perimeter cover configured to couple to the rail
member at a first location to define a first perimeter profile of
the siderail; and a second perimeter cover configured to couple to
the rail member at the first location when the first perimeter
cover is removed to define a second perimeter profile that is
different than the first perimeter profile, wherein the second
perimeter profile has a greater height and length than the first
perimeter profile.
20. The siderail of claim 19, wherein a portion of the first
perimeter profile has a substantially flat portion adjacent the
first location of the rail member and the second perimeter profile
has a substantially curved portion adjacent the first location.
21. The siderail of claim 19, wherein the second perimeter profile
includes a convex portion.
22. The siderail of claim 21, wherein the second perimeter profile
further includes a concave portion.
23. The siderail of claim 19, further comprising a linkage
configured to permit raising and lowering of the rail member,
wherein the linkage is a clocking linkage.
24. The siderail of claim 19, further comprising a rail mount
adapted to support the siderail, the rail mount configured to
receive a sub-frame for supporting the siderail on the patient
support.
25. The siderail of claim 24, wherein the sub-frame includes a body
member and at least one deck support mount, the at least one deck
support mount configured to receive a deck support from the patient
support.
26. A siderail for use with a patient support comprising: a rail
member; a first perimeter cover configured to couple to the rail
member at a first location to define a first perimeter profile of
the siderail; a second perimeter cover configured to couple to the
rail member at the first location when the first perimeter cover is
removed to define a second perimeter profile that is different than
the first perimeter profile; and a rail mount adapted to support
the siderail, the rail mount configured to receive a sub-frame for
supporting the siderail on the patient support, wherein the
sub-frame includes a body member and at least one deck support
mount, the at least one deck support mount configured to receive a
deck support from the patient support.
27. The siderail of claim 26, wherein a portion of the first
perimeter profile has a substantially fiat portion adjacent the
first location of the rail member and the second perimeter profile
has a substantially curved portion adjacent the first location.
28. The siderail of claim 26, wherein the second perimeter profile
has a greater height and length than the first perimeter
profile.
29. The siderail of claim 26, wherein the second perimeter profile
includes a convex portion.
30. The siderail of claim 29, wherein the second perimeter profile
further includes a concave portion.
31. The siderail of claim 26, further comprising a linkage
configured to permit raising and lowering of the rail member.
32. The siderail of claim 31, wherein the linkage is a clocking
linkage.
Description
The present invention relates to patient supports, such as hospital
beds. More specifically, the present invention relates to the
apparatus and methods for closing gaps that may exist between
components on a patient support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the intermediate and upper portions
of a patient support showing the patient support including deck, a
mattress positioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, a pair
of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bed of FIG. 1 showing foot
end and head end siderails cooperating to define a curved gap
therebetween;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a head section of the
deck tilted;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the patient support, with the head
end siderails removed for clarity; showing a head board adaptor
aligned with an existing pair of posts on the deck and the head
board aligned with a pair of posts on the adaptor;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the patient support of
FIG. 1 showing the foot end siderails coupled to a sub-frame;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the foot end siderail prior to a
conversion process;
FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the head end siderails after
the conversion process showing the siderails including a rail
member, a pair of rail links rotatably coupling the rail member to
the head section of the deck to permit movement of the rail member
between raised and lowered positions, and a bail pivotably coupled
to a lower edge of the rail member;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the siderail in an
intermediate position with a flange coupled to one of the rail
links contacting the bail to rotate the bail upwardly during
movement of the rail member to the lowered position;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the deck removed showing
the siderail in the lowered position with the flange urging the
bail to a raised position;
FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of the foot end siderail after
the conversion process;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing the patient support including flaps
attached to the siderails;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 11
showing the siderails in a lowered position;
FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG. 11
taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the flap in a raised
position;
FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG. 11
taken along the line 15--15 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the flap of FIG. 11 showing the
side of the flap that faces the siderail;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
siderail showing a drop down bar;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 17 in a
lowered position;
FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17 shown
perpendicular to the view of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing the patient support including mattress
retainers;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the patient support showing a
siderail in a lowered position;
FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the siderail showing the
mattress retainers;
FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 23 showing
the siderail in the lowered position;
FIG. 26 is a partial diagrammatic view of a patient support showing
the patient support including a bedframe, a mattress positioned on
the bedframe, and a pair of siderails, each of the side rails
including a notched upper edge;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment patient
support showing the patient support including a base frame, a deck,
a mattress positioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, a
pair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the head end of the patient
support of FIG. 27 showing the head end siderail and the headboard
cooperating to define a gap therebetween of equal to or greater
than 300 millimeters;
FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 showing the headboard removed
from the bedframe and aligned with a pair of posts on the
bedframe;
FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of rail members of the head and
foot end siderails showing the head end rail member in first and
second positions;
FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing a pair of alternative
embodiment rail members;
FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing another pair of
alternative embodiment rail members;
FIG. 33 is side elevation view of a patient support showing the
patient support including a mattress supported by a bedframe, a
headboard coupled to the bedframe, a footboard coupled to the
bedframe, and a pair of siderails coupled to the bedframe;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a siderail showing the siderail
including a perimeter rail and a plurality of cross members
cooperating with the perimeter rail to define a plurality of
openings through the siderail, and a plurality of bumpers coupled
to the perimeter rail and cross members to limit the width of the
openings;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a side rail similar to FIG. 34
showing alternative embodiment bumpers coupled to the cross members
to limit the width of the openings and panels positioned in the
openings to block portions of the openings;
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderail
inserts;
FIG. 37 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderail
of FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a perspective cut away view of the rail member and
siderail insert of FIG. 36;
FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderails;
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 39 in
an articulated position;
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of
FIG. 39;
FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of
FIG. 39;
FIG. 43 is perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderails;
FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderails
of FIG. 43;
FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of
FIG. 43 showing detached bumpers;
FIG. 46 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderails;
FIG. 47 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderails
of FIG. 46;
FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of
FIG. 46 showing detached bumpers;
FIG. 49 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a plastic
cover positioned over the siderail to block the openings in the
siderail;
FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the plastic cover of FIG. 49
before being placed over the siderail;
FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a sheet of
plastic material covering the siderail to block the openings in the
siderail;
FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a roll of the plastic
material;
FIG. 53 is perspective of an alternative embodiment patient support
showing one of the siderails in a lowered position and a
patient-assist arm coupled to an inclined head section of the
bedframe;
FIG. 54 is a side elevation view of another patient support showing
the patient support including a first siderail coupled to a
bedframe and a second siderailiheadrail combination coupled to the
bedframe;
FIG. 55 is a view similar to FIG. 54 showing the second
siderail/headrail combination positioned in a lowered position to
permit egress of patient from the patient support;
FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a siderail and an inclined panel
coupled to the siderail and extending between the siderail and a
mattress;
FIG. 57 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 57--57 of
FIG. 56;
FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57 showing the siderail in a
lowered position;
FIG. 59 is an assembly view of a mattress and deck showing the
mattress including four rectangular magnets coupled to an underside
thereof and the deck including four pockets sized to receive the
magnets;
FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mattress and deck
of FIG. 59;
FIG. 61 is a view similar to FIG. 60 of an alternative embodiment
mattress and deck;
FIG. 62 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing the patient support including flaps between
the siderails and the mattress;
FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62
showing a head end siderail and foot end siderail in a lowered
position;
FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62
showing a head end flap and a foot end flap, both in a lowered
position;
FIG. 65 is a cross sectional view taken along line 65--65 of FIG.
63;
FIG. 66 is a cross sectional view taken along line 66--66 of FIG.
64;
FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a side of a head end flap of FIG.
62 that faces the siderail;
FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a side of the head end flap of
FIG. 67 that faces the mattress;
FIG. 69 is a perspective view of a side of a foot end flap of FIG.
62 that faces the mattress;
FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a side of the foot end flap of
FIG. 69 that faces the siderail;
FIG. 71 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing the patient support including
siderails;
FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of
the patient support shown in FIG. 71;
FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderails;
FIG. 74 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73
showing the siderails in a lowered position;
FIG. 75 is a perspective cut away view of a latch of the siderail
of FIG. 73;
FIG. 76 is a perspective cut away view of the latch of the siderail
of FIG. 74 in the lowered position;
FIG. 77 is an exploded view of the latch of FIG. 75;
FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73
showing a patient support including siderails having supplemental
rail members;
FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the supplemental rail member of
FIG. 78;
FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a siderail and bolster positioned
adjacent to the siderail on a mattress;
FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 81--81 of FIG.
80 showing the bolster coupled to the mattress;
FIG. 82 is a view similar to FIG. 81 showing the siderail in a
lowered position;
FIG. 83 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
patient support showing a patient support including siderails;
FIG. 84 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 83
showing the siderails in a lowered position;
FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 83 showing
the siderail in a latched raised position;
FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 showing
the siderail in an unlatched position;
FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in the
lowered position;
FIG. 88 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in an
egress position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A patient support 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 9. Patient support 10
includes a frame 12, a deck 14, a mattress 16 supported by deck 14,
head end and foot end siderails 18, 20, a headboard 22, and
mattress retainers 24. Mattress retainers 24 are coupled to deck 14
to control the gap between mattress 16 and siderails 18, 20 by
securing the position of mattress 16 and maintaining the gap at a
constant size. Head end siderails 18 are coupled to a head section
26 of deck 14 and foot end siderail 20 are coupled to a sub-frame
28 supported by frame 12.
Patient support 10 may be produced originally in a manufacturing
plant as an OEM bed or by retrofitting an existing patient support
such as the patient support shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,878 and
6,320,510, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by
reference herein. When building an OEM bed, sub-frame 28 is coupled
to frame 12 at the manufacturing plant. When retrofitted at the
point of use or otherwise, sub-frame 28 is coupled to frame 12 at a
location away from the manufacturing plant. During an OEM
installation, foot end siderails 20 are initially mounted to
sub-frame 28. During a non-OEM retrofit, foot end siderails 20 are
removed from being coupled to a foot section 30 of deck 14 and then
coupled to sub-frame 28 so that foot end siderails 20 no longer
articulate with foot section 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, sub-frame 28 includes a pair of rail bars 32.
One rail bar 32 is attached to each side of frame 12 to support
each foot end siderail 20. Each rail bar includes a body member 34,
an I.V. socket 36, and a pin assembly 38. Body member 34 preferably
has a rectangular or square cross section. I.V. socket 36 is sized
and shaped to slide over a cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 of frame
12 positioned near a foot end 42 of patient support 10. I.V. socket
36 includes a space member 44 and a slide cylinder 46 coupled
within space member 44 at a first end 48.
Slide cylinder 46 defines a circular aperture therein. The circular
aperture has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer
diameter of cylindrical I.V. mount post 40. Slide cylinder 46
passes over cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 so cylindrical I.V.
mount post 40 is positioned with the circular aperture of slide
cylinder 46. Slide cylinder 46 is slightly shorter than cylindrical
I.V. mount post 40 such that cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 extends
out of circular aperture 50 when cylindrical I.V. mount post is
seated thereon.
A second end 52 of space member 44 is coupled to a foot end 54 of
body member 34, preferably by welding. Space member 44 vertically
and horizontally offsets foot end 54 of body member 34 from I.V.
mount post 40 of frame 12. Head end 56 of body member 34 is coupled
to pin assembly 38.
Pin assembly 38 includes a body mount 57 and a frame mount 58. Body
mount 57 is coupled to a head end 56 of body member 34 with bolts
passing through voids (not shown) defined in body mount 57 and body
member 34 and nuts fastened to the bolts. Frame mount 58 is
substantially cylindrical having one end coupled to body mount 57
and another end having a threaded aperture axially defined therein.
The threaded aperture is aligned with an OEM seat section I.V.
socket aperture of patient support 10. A bolt 60 is passed through
a washer and the I.V. socket aperture to threadably engage the
threaded aperture and secure pin assembly 38 to frame 12 of patient
support 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
Sub-frame 28 further includes a symmetric retracting frame cross
member 62. As shown in FIG. 5, cross member 62 includes a laterally
extending middle portion 64, a pair of downwardly extending walls
66 (only one is shown in FIG. 5) coupled to opposite ends of middle
portion 64, and pair of inwardly extending mounting flanges 68
(only one is shown in FIG. 5) coupled to opposite sides of frame
12. According to an alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure, the mounting flanges extend outwardly from the bottoms
of walls 66 and couple to middle portions 60 of rail bodies 34 and
are not coupled to frame 12.
Each rail bar 32 further includes a slide bracket 70 coupled to
respective middle portions 60 of rail bodies 34. Slide brackets 70
include a substantially flat metal plate 72 that couples to middle
portion 60 of rail body member 34 and a pair of rods 74 that extend
from plate 72 and into walls 66.
Foot end siderails 20 and head end siderails 16 each include a rail
member 76, 78 and a linkage 80. Linkage 80 includes a plurality of
support arms 82, 84 pivotally coupling rail member 76, 78 to a
linkage base 86. Linkage bases 86 of foot end siderails 20 are
coupled to respective rods 74 of slide bracket 70 to permit sliding
on rods 74. This sliding permits lateral movement of linkage bases
86 and the remainder of foot end siderails 20 relative to deck
14.
Foot end siderails 20 are coupled to frame 12 through sub-frame 28
of the patient support 10 rather than deck 14 of the patient
support 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, during
articulation of foot section 30 of deck 14, foot end siderails 20
remain stationary.
During a non-OEM assembly, foot end siderails 20 are uncoupled for
foot section 30 of deck 14. Each lateral end of cross member 62 is
then coupled to frame 12 under foot section 30. Rail bars 32 are
then coupled to frame 12 by first inserting I.V. sockets 36 over
respective I.V. mount posts 40 of frame 12. Frame mounts 58 of pin
assemblies 38 are then bolted to deck 14 using the previously
unused I.V. socket apertures formed in deck 14. Then body members
34 are bolted to body mounts 57 of pin assemblies 38. In the
alternative embodiment, the cross member is then bolted to the
respective body members 34 rather than to frame 12.
Next, slide brackets 70 of foot end siderails 20 are slide over
rods 74. Slide brackets 70 are then bolted to body members 34 to
complete the relocation of foot end siderails 20 from foot section
30 to frame 12 through sub-frame 28. In an OEM application, it is
unnecessary to uncouple foot end siderails 20 from foot section 30
because they are never coupled there to begin with.
Head end rail member 76 includes a steel perimeter frame member 88
coupled to respective support arms 82, 84 by a downwardly extending
bracket 90, a two-piece plastic body member 92 coupled to perimeter
frame member 88, and a set of plastic canes or covers 94, 96, 98
coupled to perimeter frame member 88. Foot end rail member 78
includes a steel perimeter frame member 110 coupled to respective
support arms 82, 84 by a downwardly extending bracket 112, a
two-piece plastic body member 114 coupled to perimeter frame member
110, and a set of plastic canes or covers 116, 118, 120 coupled to
perimeter frame member 110. Preferably, perimeter frame members 88,
110 are substantially parallelogram-shaped having slightly rounded
corners. Body members 92, 114 are substantially rectangular and are
substantially positioned within interior regions defined by
perimeter frame members 88, 110.
In an OEM application, covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 are
initially coupled to respective frame members 88, 110 at the
manufacturing facility. Preferably, end covers 94, 96, 116, 118 are
placed over the ends of respective frame members 88, 110. Then,
fasteners, such as screws, are used to couple covers 94, 96, 98,
116, 118, 120 to the top and bottom ends of the respective frame
members 88, 110. In a retrofit application, the original canes
(such as canes 118, 130, 120 shown in FIG. 6) are first removed
from respective frame members 88, 110 at the point of use or other
location. Then, new covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 are coupled to
respective frame members 88, 110. The original canes for head end
siderail 18 are substantially similar to canes 118, 130, 120 shown
in FIG. 6. According to one alternative assembly process, original
canes 116, 120 are recoupled to frame member 110 with new cane
118.
Cane 94 provides head end siderail 18 with a head end that is
substantially vertical and perpendicular relative to a plane
defined by deck 14. Cane 96 provides head end siderail 18 with a
foot end shaped as a convex arc. Cane 98 continues this convex arc
over body member 92 toward the head end. Preferably, this convex
arc has a radius of curvature 132 equal to the distance between the
tangent of the convex arc to a pivot point 134 of head section 26
of deck 14 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, this distance is about
17.5 inches (444 millimeters).
Cane 116 provides foot end siderail 20 with a head end shaped as
downwardly facing concave arc. The concave arc is sized and shaped
to provide a gap of constant width between cane 96 and cane 116.
Preferably, this gap is about 1.0 inches (25.4 millimeters).
According to another embodiment, this gap is less than or equal to
2.4 inches (60 millimeters). Preferably, this concave arc has a
radius of curvature 136 equal to the distance between the tangent
of the concave arc to pivot point 134 of head section 26 of deck
14. Preferably, this distance is about 18.5 inches (470
millimeters).
Head end siderail 18 is coupled to deck 14 that articulates. Foot
end siderail 20 is coupled to frame 12 via sub-frame 28 that does
not articulate. The convex arc of cane 96 and the concave arc of
cane 116 complement one another during rotation of head section 26
of deck 14 to maintain the gap at the constant width between cane
96 and cane 116 as the patient support articulates.
As shown in FIG. 7, head end siderail 18 also includes a bail
assembly 138 coupled to bracket 90 of rail member 76. Bail assembly
138 includes a bracket 140 coupled to an outer wall of bracket 90,
a pair of plates 142, 144 coupled to bracket 140 and canes 94, 96,
and a bail 146 located below rail member 76 and canes 94, 96. Bail
146 includes a plurality of bail flaps 148 and a bail rod 150
pivotably coupled to bracket 140 and canes 94, 96. Each bail flap
148 defines a plane and is fixedly coupled to bail rod 150 so as to
be coplanar with each of the other bail flaps 148. Bail flaps 148
rotate about a longitudinal axis with bail rod 150 to assume first
and second positions. By virtue of each of bail flaps 148 being
fixedly coupled to bail rod 150, bail flaps 148 rotate as one.
In a first position, as shown in FIG. 7, bail flaps 148 extend
outward from plates 142, 144. When head end siderail 18 is moved
toward a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 8, bail flaps 148 are
pushed up by a bracket 152 and moved toward plates 142, 144. When
head end siderail 18 is moved to the lowered position, as shown in
FIG. 9, bail flaps 148 are substantially vertical and are
positioned in pockets 154 defined in bail 146. Bail 146 is
preferably spring loaded or otherwise biased toward the first
position. Thus, when head end siderail 18 is returned to the raised
position, bail flaps 148 are returned to the first position shown
in FIG. 7. When in the first position, bail flaps 148 reduce a gap
between head end siderail 18 and mattress 16 positioned on deck
14.
Head end siderail 18 is lowered by clocking head end siderail 18.
Clocking head end siderail 18 causes bracket 152 to abut bail flap
148. As head end siderail 18 continues to lower, bracket 152
continues to raise relative to bail 146. Raising bracket 152 urges
bail flap 148 and bail rod 150 to rotate and ultimately assume the
first position of bail 146. When bail 146 is in first position,
head end siderail 18 can move without bail 146 contacting mattress
16 or deck 14.
Preferably an OEM headboard (shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,320,510 and
6,321,878) is similarly replaced with headboard 22 that presents
sides substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by deck 14
as shown in FIG. 1. The sides of headboard 22 and head end of head
end siderail 18 are substantially parallel when patient support 10
is in the reclined position. Headboard 22 is sized to maintain a
gap between headboard 22 and head end of head end siderail 18 of
greater than 11.82 inches (300 millimeters).
To removably couple headboard to frame 12, an adaptor bracket 156
is provided as shown in FIG. 4. Bracket 156 includes a body 158,
first and second frame attachments 160, 162 and two headboard
attachments 164. Body 158 is preferably a piece of an angle iron
sized and shaped to sit upon a head member 166 of frame 12. Head
member 166 includes a two headboard posts 168 and a two I.V. mounts
170.
First and second frame attachments 160, 162 are cylindrical and
have apertures defined therein. The apertures are sized to receive
headboard posts 168 of head member 166 therein. Bracket 156 is
placed over head member 166 such that each of headboard posts 168
is received within one of the apertures of first and second frame
attachments 160, 162. When so placed, cylindrical headboard
attachments 164 are substantially vertical.
Headboard 22 includes a pair of mount apertures formed on a bottom
edge thereof. The mount apertures are sized, shaped, and spaced to
simultaneously receive both headboard attachments 164 therein. For
installation, headboard 22 is positioned such that each mount
aperture is positioned above a headboard attachment 164 and then
headboard 22 is lowered such that headboard attachments 164 enter
the mount apertures.
An alternative embodiment patient support 1610 is shown in FIGS. 11
16. Patient support 1610 includes a deck 1618, a mattress 1616
positioned on deck 1618, siderails 1614 coupled to deck 1618, and
flaps 1612 coupled to siderails 1614 and positioned on mattress
1616. Flaps 1612 include base plates 1620, flap members 1622, and
hinges 1624. Base plates 1620 are fixedly coupled to siderails 1614
and flap members 1622 are hingedly coupled to base plates 1620 via
hinges 1624. Each flap 1612 is configured to block a gap 1626
defined between siderail 1614 and mattress 1616. Flaps 1612 span
gap 1626 when siderails 1614 are in a raised position. As shown in
FIG. 13, when siderail 1614 is raised, flap member 1622 assumes a
down position and contacts mattress 1616. Lowering siderails 1614
causes flap members 1622 to rotate via hinges 1624 relative to base
plate 1620 and assume a raised position as shown in FIGS. 12 and
15. When in the lowered position, siderails 1614 and flap 1612
permit patient entry and egress. When siderails 1614 are raised,
flap member 1622 remains in the raised position, as shown in FIG.
14, until a force (applied by gravity, a caregiver, or patient)
acts upon flap member 1622 and it falls to the lowered position
shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, flap member 1622 contacts mattress
1616 as it raises and changes position as siderail 1614 changes
position.
An alternative embodiment siderail 1660 is shown in FIGS. 17 21
including a rail extension 1692. Siderails 1660 are configured to
be coupled to a deck (not shown). Each siderail 1660 is configured
to move between raised blocking positions, as shown in FIG. 17, and
lowered egress positions, to permit entry and egress of patients
into and out of a patient support, as shown in FIG. 18. Each
siderail 1660 includes a rail member 1664, linkage assembly 1666,
and a deck mount 1662 configured to mount to the underside of a
deck. Linkage assembly extends between rail member 1664 and deck
mount 1662 and permits rail member 1664 to be moved between the
raised and lowered positions.
Rail member 1664 is an elongated, substantially flat piece of
metal, plastic, or combination thereof. Rail member 1664 has two
ends 1668, 1670, an upper side 1672, a lower side 1674, an inner
side 1676 that faces a mattress (not shown), and an outer side
1680. Rail member 1664 also has apertures 1682 defined therein near
each end 1668, 1670. Because of the clearance provided by apertures
1682, rail member 1664 define relatively thin handles 1684 suitable
for grasping by a user.
The bottom of each handle 1684 further has a void 1686 defined
therein. Void 1686 is sized to receive a screw, bolt, rivet, or
other suitable fastener 1688 that couples a rail extension holder
1690 to rail member 1664. Rail extension 1692 is rotatably coupled
to rail extension holder 1690. Preferably, rail extension 1692 is a
shaped metal rod as shown in FIGS. 17 21. Rail extension holder
1690 allows rail extension 1692 to assume a plurality of positions
relative to rail member 1664 during raising and lower of rail
member 1664.
Linkage assembly 1666 is attached to inner side 1676 of rail member
1664. Linkage assembly 1666 includes two link members 1694. Link
members 1694 are substantially identical angled metal or plastic
pieces. First ends 1696 of link members 1694 have axles 1698
extending therefrom. Axles 1698 rotatably couple to rail members
1664 so as to rotatably couple link members 1694 to rail members
1664. Likewise, second ends 1700 of link members 1694 have axles
1702 extending therefrom. Axles 1702 rotatably couple to deck mount
1662.
Rail member 1664 may assume a plurality of positions relative to
deck 1662 such as a raised position, shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20,
a lowered position, shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, and intermediate
positions. When rail member 1664 is in the raised position, rail
extension 1692 is able to assume a lowered position hanging from
rail member 1664. Rail extension 1692 blocks a gap defined between
rail member 1664 and a mattress (not shown). When rail member 1664
is lowered, link members 1694 contact rail extension 1692. After
initial contact between rail extension 1692 and link member 1694,
further lowering of rail member 1664 causes rail extension 1692 to
rotate within extension holder 1690 towards a raised position shown
in FIG. 18. Thus, rail extension 1692 does not impede the movement
of rail member 1664 between the raised and lowered positions. When
rail member 1664 is in a fully lowered position, rail extension
1692 is in a fully raised position relative to rail member 1164.
When rail extension 1692 is not in a fully lowered position, the
rotational position of rail extension 1692 is dictated by contact
with link members 1694 and contact between rail extension 1692 and
link members 1694 remains constant.
Another embodiment patient support 1910 is shown in FIGS. 22 25.
Patient support 1910 includes mattress retainers 1912 similar to
mattress retainers 1862, siderails 1914, a mattress 1916, and a
deck 1918. Siderails 1914 include rail-members 1920 and linkages
1922 that couple rail members 1920 to deck 1918. Linkages 1922
include two linkage members 1924 and lever members 1926 fixedly
coupled to each linkage member 1924. As shown in FIG. 24, mattress
retainers 1912 include base members 1928, height adjust sliders
1930 slidably coupled to base members 1928, retainer members 1932
fixedly coupled to base members 1928 and slidably coupled to deck
1918, and springs 1934 that surround portions of retainer members
1932.
Connector pins 1936 are provided that are positioned in connector
voids 1938 formed in height adjust sliders 1930 to slidably couple
base member 1928 to slider 1930. Height adjust sliders 1930 are
rotatably coupled to lever members 1926. Deck 1918 has a pair of
apertures 1940 defined therein through which retainer member 1932
extends.
Retainer members 1932 are preferably rigid U-shaped metal wires or
rods. A base 1942 of U-shaped retainer member 1932 is positioned
above deck 1918 so as to allow tines 1944 of U-shaped retainer
member 1932 to extend through apertures 1940 of deck 1918 and cores
of coil springs 1934 and couple to base member 1928. Each mattress
retainer 1912 is configured to limit or block a gap between
siderail 1914 and mattress 1916. Mattress retainers 1912 achieve
the limiting of gaps by securing the positioning of mattress 1916.
Mattress retainers 1912 engage sides of mattress 1916 to prevent
lateral mattress 1916 shifting. Furthermore, retainers 1912 block
the compression of the upper corners of mattress 1916 when a
patient lies near siderail 1914. According to alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure, retainers are provided
adjacent the foot end siderails, if any.
Mattress retainers 1912 are configured to retract or lower when
siderails 1914 are moved to a lowered position as shown in FIG. 23.
By lowering retainer 1912 when siderail 1914 is lowered, retainer
1912 no longer presents an obstacle to the entry or egress of a
patient.
As shown in FIG. 24, to lower siderail 1914 from a raised siderail
position, rail member 1920 is urged in direction 1946 and "clocks"
toward the lowered position. Movement of siderail 1914 in direction
1946 causes linkage members 1924 to rotate counterclockwise in
direction 1948. Rotation of linkage members 1924 in a
counterclockwise direction causes attached lever members 1926 to
rotate therewith. Rotation of lever members 1926 cause attached
height adjustment sliders 1930 to move therewith. Height adjustment
sliders 1930 are able to slide horizontally relative to base
members 1928 because of elongated connection voids 1938 of sliders
1930 and connector pins 1936 of base members 1938 so that only the
vertical component of the rotation of lever members 1926 is
translated to base members 1938.
Base members 1938 then lower in direction 1950 as urged by height
adjustment members 1930 and springs 1934 that bias base members
1938 toward deck 1918 are expanded. Thus, as rail members 1920 are
lowered, retainer members 1932 are likewise lowered as shown in
FIG. 25. Conversely, raising of rail member 1920 by rotating rail
member 1920 clockwise in direction 1952 causes retain member 1932
to raise in direction 1954 as shown in FIG. 25 to the position
shown in FIG. 24.
Another patient support 510 is provided in FIG. 26. Patient support
510 includes a bedframe including a base frame (not shown), and
intermediate frame 512 supported above the base frame by lift arms
514, and an articulating deck 516 supported on intermediate frame
512. Patient support 510 further includes a head end siderail 518
coupled to a head section 520 of deck 516 and an intermediate
siderail 522 coupled to intermediate frame 512.
Each siderail 518, 522 includes an upper edge 524, 526 that
includes a substantially flat portion 528, 530 and a notched
portion 532, 534. Additionally, siderail 518 includes an left-most
edge 536 that includes a circular portion 538 and upper edge 526 of
side rail 522 includes a circular portion 540. Circular portions
538, 540 have radii of curvature that extend from an axis of
rotation 542 of head section 520 of deck 516.
Notched portion 534 permits a portion 544 of siderail 518
positioned nearest a foot end of patient support 510 to rotate
further about axis of rotation 542 before a gap 546 between portion
544 and siderail 522 begins to close. Thus, head section 520 of
deck 516 can rotate further about axis of rotation 542. Circular
portions 538, 540 permit siderail 518 to rotate relative to
siderail 522 without gap 546 narrowing.
Notched portions 532, 534 define a distance 535 between their
respective vertically extending edges 537, 539 that is at least 318
mm (12.5 inches). Gap 546 is preferably between 25 mm (1 inch) and
60 mm (2.4 inches). By providing notched portions 532, 534, a
caregiver is provided easier access to a patient positioned on the
mattress.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,
notched portion 532 of upper edge 524 is not provided and a
left-most edge 545 (partially shown in phantom) is provided that is
the inverse of notched portion 534 of side rail 522. Thus, when
head section 520 and siderail 518 are rotated to the inclined
position, left-most edge 545 is parallel to notched portion 532 of
upper edge 524 and spaced equidistant therefrom.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient
support 410 is provided with head and foot end siderails 416, 418,
a headboard 478 shown in FIGS. 27 29. Headboard 478 includes a pair
of substantially vertical side edges 480, 482, a horizontal top
edge 484, and a pair of angled edges 486, 488 extending between
side edges 480,482 and top edge 484. When a mattress 719 is
positioned on a deck 720, vertical edges 480, 482 are positioned
below the upper surface of mattress 719.
As shown in FIG. 28, head end siderail 416 includes a side edge 490
having upper and lower angled portions 492, 494. Lower angled
portion 494 of siderail 416 and angled edge 486 cooperate to define
a gap 496 therebetween of a consistent distance. Preferably, this
distance is greater than or equal to 318 mm (12.5 inches).
Headboard 478 includes a pair of apertures sized to receive posts
470 on an intermediate frame 432.
An alternative pair of head and foot end siderail members 918, 920
is shown in FIG. 31. Foot end siderail member 920 includes a
circular end edge 922 that peaks and travels downward before
meeting a substantially flat edge 924.
An alternative embodiment pair of head and foot end siderails 1450,
1452 is provided in FIG. 32. Head and foot end siderails 1450, 1452
including a pair of substantially flat, parallel surfaces 1454,
1456. Foot end siderail 1452 includes an upper circular corner 1458
having a radius of curvature of approximately 8.5 inches and a
lower rounded corner 1460. When head end siderail 1450 is in the
lowered position, surfaces 1454, 1456 are spaced apart by more than
25 mm, but less than 60 mm. Because of upper circular corner 1458,
as head end side rail 1450 is raised, this gap remains greater than
25 mm. Additional details of how siderails 1450, 1452 are coupled
to the deck are provided with the disclosure for patient support
210.
A patient support 610 is shown in FIG. 33 for supporting a patient
before, after, or during medical treatment or for resting. Patient
support 610 includes a bedframe 612, a mattress 614 supported by
bedframe 612, a headboard 616 coupled to bedframe 612, a footboard
618 coupled to bedframe 612, and a pair of siderails 620, 622 also
coupled to bedframe 612. Gaps may exist between these components.
For example, a headboard/siderail gap 624 is defined between
headboard 616 and siderail 620. Other similar gaps may exist
between siderails 620, 622 and footboard 618. A headboard/mattress
gap 626 is defined between headboard 616 and mattress 614. Other
similar gaps may exist between siderails 620, 622 and mattress 614.
Furthermore, gaps or openings 627 may also exist in headboard 616,
footboard 618, and siderail 620, 622 themselves. According to the
present disclosure, various apparatus and methods are provided to
reduce or eliminate these and other gaps and openings on patients
supports.
As shown in FIG. 34, a siderail 628 includes a perimeter rail 630,
a pair of vertical cross members 632 extending between upper and
lower portions 634, 636 of perimeter rail 630, and a Z-shaped
insert 638 the covers respective upper and lower portions of
vertical cross members 632 and extends therebetween. Perimeter rail
630, cross members 632, and insert 638 cooperate to define openings
640, 642 in siderail 628.
Bumpers 644 are provided to decrease the width of openings 640,
642. For example, two bumpers 644 are coupled to insert 638 to
decrease the width of the upper and side portions of opening 640. A
bumper 644 is coupled to insert 638 to decrease the width of
opening 642. Alternatively, bumpers 644 may be coupled to other
locations on siderail 628. For example, as shown in the lower
right-hand portion of rail 628, bumper 644 is coupled to perimeter
rail 630. According to the preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure, bumpers 644 are provided so that a cone having a
maximum diameter of 120 mm cannot pass through openings 640, 642.
Thus, after installation of bumpers 644, the maximum open area in
the siderail does not exceed 120 mm in diameter.
Preferably, bumpers 644 include a rigid base 648 and a compliant
top 650 made of a rubber material coupled to base 648. Base 648 is
preferably coupled to rail 628 by a screw (not shown). According to
alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the bumpers are
coupled to the siderails by other types of fasteners such as
adhesives, bolts, rivets, or other fasteners known to those of
ordinary skill in the art.
According to one installation procedure, bumpers 644 are installed
to siderail 628 at the location of use of siderail 628, such as a
hospital or other care facility, after siderail 628 and the
remainder of the accompanying bed have been transported to the care
facility. According to another installation procedure, bumpers 644
are installed at the manufacturing facility before shipment to the
care facility.
An alternative embodiment bumper 650 is shown in FIG. 35. Bumper
650 is formed from a rubber material in a half-cylinder shape and
is coupled to insert 638 by a screw 652. According to an
alternative arrangement, bumpers 650 are coupled to other locations
on siderail 628 such as on the inner surfaces of perimeter rail 630
or cross members 632 to decrease the width of openings 640, 642.
Alternatively, these bumpers 650 may be coupled to siderail 628
using the other fasteners and installation procedures described for
bumpers 644 mentioned above.
A plurality of panels 654, 656 are also provided that partially
fill opening 640. Panels 654, 656 are configured to reduce to the
width of opening 640. According to alternative embodiments of the
present disclosure, additional panels are provided that entirely
fill openings 640 and either partially or completely fill openings
642. Preferably, panels 654, 656 are made of a transparent material
such as polycarbonate, Lexan-brand plastic, Plexiglas-brand
plastic, or other material. According to other alternative
embodiments, the panels are made of translucent or opaque
materials.
Another alternative embodiment patient support 2060 is shown in
FIG. 36. Patient support 2060 includes a deck 2066, a mattress 2068
positioned on deck 2066, and foot and head end siderails 2062, 2064
coupled to deck 2066. Siderails 2062, 2064 include a rail member
2070 and linkages 2072 coupling rail member 2070 to deck 2066. Rail
member 2070 includes a perimeter rail 2074, a central body 2076
fixed to perimeter rail 2074, and inserts 2078 removably coupled to
perimeter rail 2074. Central body 2076 is coupled within an
interior of perimeter rail 2074. Central body 2076 and perimeter
rail 2074 cooperate to define openings 2080 in siderails 2062,
2064.
Inserts 2078 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2080.
Inserts 2078 include a rail engagement side 2082. Rail engagement
side 2082 includes a rail track 2084 and two track walls 2086 as
shown in FIG. 38. Rail track 2084 is a recessed area approximately
the width of perimeter rail 2074. When positioned adjacent rail
2074, rail track walls 2086 engage perimeter rail 2074. Preferably,
when inserts are positioned in openings 2080, a cylinder having a
diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot be inserted into opening
2080.
Another alternative embodiment siderail 2110 is shown in FIG. 39.
Siderails 2110 include a rail member 2112 and linkages 2114
coupling rail member 2112 to deck 2116. Rail member 2112 includes a
perimeter rail 2118, a central body 2120 fixed to perimeter rail
2118, and inserts 2122 coupled to perimeter rail 2118. Central body
2120 is coupled within an interior of perimeter rail 2118. Central
body 2120 and perimeter rail 2118 cooperate to define openings 2124
in siderails 2110.
Inserts 2122 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2124.
Inserts 2122 are preferably metal tubes bent to the shape shown
best in FIGS. 41 and 42. Inserts 2122 include a short side 2126, a
long side 2128, and an end 2130 linking the two sides 2126, 2128.
Perimeter rails 2118 have pairs of apertures 2132 configured to
receive ends of sides 2126, 2128 of inserts 2122. Inserts 2122 are
attached to perimeter rails 2118 with fasteners that extend through
apertures 2132. Inserts 2122 extend from perimeter rails 2118 into
openings 2124 to decrease the width of openings 2124. Preferably,
when inserts 2122 are positioned in the openings, a cylinder having
a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot be inserted into the
openings.
Alternative embodiment inserts 2134, 2136 are shown in FIGS. 43 45.
Inserts 2134, 2135 are similar to insert 2078 but designed to fit
siderail 2110. Inserts 2134, 2136 have rail engagement sides 2136
including rail tracks 2138, rail track walls 2140, and a void 2142
defined therein as shown in FIG. 45. Rail tracks 2138 are a
recessed area approximately the width of perimeter rail 2118. When
inserts 2134, 2136 are positioned adjacent rail 2118, rail track
walls 2140 engage perimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2134, 2136 are
coupled to rail 2118 by fasteners, adhesives, or other couplers
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, when
inserts 2134, 2136 are positioned in the openings, a cylinder
having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot be inserted into the
openings.
Another alternative embodiment insert 2144 is shown in FIGS. 46 48.
Insert 2144 is similar to inserts 2134, but extend to fill two
corners. Insert 2144 has rail engagement sides 2146, rail tracks
2148, rail track walls 2150, and voids 2152 defined therein as
shown in FIG. 48. Insert 2144 is designed to attach within two
rounded 90-degree corners of perimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2144 are
coupled to rail 2118 by fasteners, adhesives, or other couplers
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, when
inserts 2144 are positioned in the openings, a cylinder having a
diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot be inserted into the
openings.
As shown in FIG. 49, a siderail 658 is provided with a clear
plastic cover 698. Plastic cover 698 is a sleeve that slides over
siderail 658 to block openings 664, 666. When a new patient is
positioned on the associated patient support, plastic cover 698 is
removed and replaced with a new or cleaned plastic cover. At least
one edge 699 of cover 698 is open to permit placement of cover 698
over siderail 58. Fasteners, such as hook-and-loop type fasteners
are provided to hold open edge 699 together after placement of
cover 698 over siderail 658. According to alternative embodiments
of the present disclosure, other types of fasteners are provided to
hold the open edge together such as adhesives, straps, ties,
button, snaps, or other fasteners known to those of ordinary skill
in the art.
Siderail 658 is provided with another embodiment clear plastic
cover 710 shown in FIG. 51. Cover 710 is a clear plastic sheet of
material that is wrapped around siderail 658 from a roll 712 of
plastic sheet. An example of such a plastic sheet of material is
plastic shrink wrap used for packing.
According to one alternative embodiment, the plastic sheet is
thermally reactive and shrinks in reaction to heat. Such plastic
materials are commonly used to cover windows during cold months.
After siderail 658 is wrapped, a heat source (such as a hair dryer)
is used to blow hot air over the sheet. The sheet then shrinks to
form a tight fit over siderail 658. When a new patient uses the
patient support, the plastic sheet is removed and replaced with a
new wrapping of plastic material.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,
patient support 210 is provided with a patient-assist arm 244 as
shown in FIG. 53. Patient-assist arm 244 is pivotally coupled to a
head section of the articulating deck to move therewith.
Preferably, patient-assist arm is raised when the siderail is
lowered to provide something for the patient positioned on patient
assist to grab when entering or exiting patient support 210.
Patient-assist arm 244 pivots about an axis of rotation 246 that is
located in a vertical plane and at an angle of 45E relative to the
head section of the deck. Thus, when patient-assist arm 244 is
moved from a raised position, as shown in FIG. 53, to a lowered
position tucked under the head section of the deck, a handle
portion 248 of patient-assist arm 244 moves transversely away from
mattress 222 until patient assist arm 244 is in the same plane as
the head section. As patient-assist arm 244 is rotated further
toward the lowered position, handle portion 248 moves transversely
toward mattress 222. Furthermore, as patient-assist arm 244 is
lowered, handle portion 248 moves toward a head end of patient
support 210.
Additional disclosure of patient-assist arm 244 and configuration
for coupling and latching patient-assist arm to a deck section is
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,327 to Celestina et al, the
disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,
other configurations of patient-assist arms are coupled to the head
section of the deck using the angled pivot arrangement shown U.S.
Pat. No. 5,060,327. According to another embodiment, the
patient-assist arms shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,583, filed Nov. 9,
1999 to Brooke et al. are coupled to the head section to rotate
about the angle pivot. Alternatively, the patient assist arms are
coupled to the head section using the coupling configuration
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,583, the disclosure of which is
expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Another patient support 810 is provided in FIG. 54. Patient support
810 includes a bedframe 812 including a base frame 814 and
intermediate frame 716 supported above base frame 814 by lift arms
718, and an articulating deck 720 supported on intermediate frame
716.
atient support 810 further includes a foot end siderail 816 coupled
to deck 720. According to an alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure, the foot end siderail is coupled to the intermediate
frame. Patient support 810 further includes a head end
siderail/headrail 818 that is positioned on each side of head
section 724 and around the end of head section 724. Rail 818 is
pivotally coupled to intermediate frame 716 by a support arm 820.
As shown in FIG. 55, rail 818 is configured to move to a lowered
position permitting egress of a patient from patient support 810.
According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the
rail is coupled to the head section of the deck.
A portion of a patient support is shown in FIG. 56 along with a
blocker 344 coupled to perimeter rail 332 of siderails 324, 328 by
a pair of straps 346. Blocker 344 includes a rigid back panel 348
and a foam panel 350 coupled to back panel 348. Panels 348, 350 are
formed to include a plurality of apertures 352 therein to
facilitate seeing through blocker 344. According to alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure, other sizes, and shapes of
apertures, if any, are provided.
As shown in FIG. 57, blocker 344 covers or blocks access to a gap
354 between siderails 324, 328 and a mattress 356 when siderails
324, 328 are in the raised position. When siderails 324, 328 are
rotated to the lowered position, blocker 344 rotates to the outside
of siderail 324, 328 as shown in FIG. 58. When siderails 324, 328
are raised again, blocker 344 is flipped back over siderails 324,
328 to the position shown in FIG. 57. According to alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure, the blocker is provided with
only a clear rigid panel.
Another deck 1046 and mattress 1048 are shown in FIG. 59. Deck 1046
includes a plurality of voids 1050 sized to receive magnets 1052
coupled to mattress 1048 to prevent transverse shifting of mattress
1048 on deck 1046. According to alternative embodiments of the
present disclosure, the deck is an articulating deck such as deck
14 described above.
As shown in FIG. 60, deck 1046 includes a plastic deck panel 1054
and a steel receptacle 1056 coupled to an underside of panel 1054.
Deck panel 1054 includes an aperture 1058 and receptacle 1056
include a depression 1060 that cooperates with aperture 1058 to
define voids 1050 sized to receive magnet 1052. Because receptacle
1056 is made of a ferrous metal, magnet 1052 is attracted to
receptacle 1056 and "sticks" thereto. According to alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure, a flat metal plate is
provided in place of the metal receptacles. According to an
alternative embodiment, the deck is made of steel and formed to
include channels to receive magnets 1052.
Mattress 1026 includes a layer of tick or a cover 1062, a fire
barrier 1064, and a foam core 1066 positioned in fire barrier 1064.
According to alternative embodiments, other core configurations
known to those of ordinary skill in the art are provided. A plastic
panel 1068 is adhered to core 1066 and a plywood board 1070 is
sandwiched between plastic panel 1068 and core 1066. A screw 1072
is driven through magnet 1052, cover 1062, fire barrier 1064,
plastic panel 1068, and into board 1070 to couple magnets 1052 to
mattress 1048. Preferably, magnets 1052 are flexible and are 8
inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 0.25 inches thick.
To couple mattress 1026 to deck 1046, mattress 1026 is first
positioned on deck 1026. Mattress 1026 is then slid transversely
until magnets 1052 "drop" into voids 1050 and stick to metal
receptacles 1056. Because deck panel 1054 is plastic, magnets 1052
are not attracted to panel 1054 and slide freely on panel 1054. In
addition to the attraction of magnets 1052 to metal receptacles
1056, the interaction of the edges of magnets 1052 with the edges
defining voids 1050 prevents transverse movement of mattress 1026.
To remove mattress 1026, magnets 1052 are lifted out of voids 1050
against the magnetic force between magnets 1052 and receptacles
1056.
An alternative embodiment deck 1074, magnet 1076, and receptacle
1078 are shown in FIG. 61. A plastic deck panel 1080 of deck 1074
and receptacle 1078 include inclined edges 1082, 1084 that define
an undercut that receive an inclined edge 1086 of magnet 1076.
After magnet 1076 drops into void 1088 defined by panel 1080 and
receptacle 1078, any movement of mattress 1026 in direction 1090
pulls inclined edge 1086 into the undercut. Contact between
inclined edges 1086, 1082, 1084 prevents any further movement of
mattress 1026 and locks magnets 1076 against being withdrawn from
void 1088. To remove magnet 1076, it must be slide in direction
1092 until magnet 1076 clears the undercut. According to
alternative embodiments, the receptacle is a flat metal plate.
An alternative embodiment patient support 1510 is shown in FIGS. 62
66. Patient support 1510 includes a deck 1520, a mattress 1518,
siderails 1516, and a pair of flaps 1512, 1514 coupled to deck
1520. Flaps 1512, 1514 are positioned between siderails 1516 and
mattress 1518 as shown in FIG. 62. Each flap 1512, 1514 reduces the
width of gaps 1522, 1523 defined between siderails 1516 and
mattress 1518. Flaps 1512, 1514 reside within gap 1522 between
siderails 1516 and mattress 1518 when siderails 1516 are in a
raised position as shown in FIG. 62 and thereby block and/or reduce
the size of gap 1523 as shown in FIG. 65.
As shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, each flap 1512, 1514 includes a base
plate 1536, latch 1538, latch pivot pin 1540 pivotably coupling
latch 1538 to base plate 1536, spring positioned between latch 1538
and base plate 1536, and hinges 1544. Base plates 1536 of head end
flap 1512 and foot end flap 1514 couple to deck 1520.
Head end flap 1512 includes a main flap 1524 and an auxiliary flap
1526 that is pivotable relative to main flap 1524 at a pivot 1532
between main and auxiliary flaps 1524, 1526. Main flap 1524 is
attached to and extends along a head section 1528 of patient
support 1510. Auxiliary flap 1526 extends along a seat section 1530
of patient support 1510. Pivot 1532 is positioned above a pivot
1534 of head section 1528 and seat section 1530. As head section
1528 articulates relative to seat section 1530, flaps 1524, 1526
maintain their positions relative to their respective sections
1528, 1530 of patient support 1510 as shown in FIG. 63.
Lowering siderails 1516 allows main flap 1524 to rotate via hinges
1544 relative to deck 1520 and assume a lowered position as shown
in FIG. 64. When in the lowered position, siderails 1516 and flaps
1524 do not block egress of a patient.
Flaps 1512, 1514 are preferably detachable from the rest of the
patient support to permit removal of flaps 1512, 1514 from deck
1520. Latches 1538 and base plates 1536 removably clamp flaps 1512,
1514 to deck 1520. Base plates 1536 include a hook portion or a
plurality of hook portions 1546 that engage a side of deck 1520 as
shown in FIGS. 69 and 70. Latch 1538 also has a hook portion 1548.
Latch 1538 has a first position wherein latch 1538 engages a top of
deck 1520 and a second position wherein latch 1538 disengages deck
1520. Spring 1542 urges latch 1538 to the first position where
latch 1538 and hook portions 1546, 1548 combine to clamp flaps
1512, 1514 to deck 1520. To remove flaps 1512, 1514 from deck 1520,
latch 1538 is placed in second position to disengage latch 1538
from deck 1520 and allow flaps 1512, 1514 to be removed. Raising
siderail 1516 causes siderail 1516 to contact and raise flaps 1512,
1514 in direction of arrow 1550 as shown in FIG. 67.
Another embodiment patient support 1960 is shown in FIG. 71.
Patient support 1960 includes a deck 1966, a mattress 1964
positioned on deck 1966, and siderails 1962 coupled to deck 1966.
Siderails 1962 include rail members 1968 and linkages 1970 that
couple rail members 1968 to deck 1966. Each rail member 1968
includes a vertical portion 1972 and a horizontal wedge portion
1974 coupled to vertical portion 1972 near a head end 1976 of rail
member 1968. Wedge portion 1974 extends into mattress 1964 when
siderail 1962 is in a raised position and slightly compress
mattress 1964. Wedge portion 1974 blocks a gap defined between
mattress 1964 and head end of rail member 1968.
Another alternative embodiment siderail 2210 is shown in FIGS. 73
and 74. Siderails 2210 include a rail member 2212 and a coupler
mechanism 2214 coupling rail member 2212 to deck 2216. Rail member
2212 includes an upright portion 2218, preferably a U-shaped tube
constructed from metal or stiff plastic, and an attachment portion
2220. Attachment portion 2220 is preferably a flat plate that
extends between tines 2222 of upright portion 2218 and has an
attachment void 2221 and a lock void 2223. Coupler mechanism 2214
includes a deck mount 2224 configured to attach to an underside of
deck 2216. Deck mount 2244 includes a flange 2232 that couples to
deck 2216 and slide posts 2234 rigidly coupled to flange 2232.
Coupler mechanism 2214 further includes a slide member 2217 that
slide on posts 2234 of deck mount 224, a rotation plate 2226
attached to slide member 2217, a lever 2228 hingedly attached to
rotation plate 2226, and a spring 2230 that biases lever 2228
toward rotation plate 2226.
Rotation plate 2226 includes a slide attachment 2236, a spacer
2238, a hinge member 2240, and a spring attachment void 2241. Lever
2228 includes a hinge void 2242, a lock pin 2244, a spring
attachment void 2246, and a release arm 2248 having a push plate
2250 thereon. Spring 2230 is a coil type spring that extends
between spring attachment voids 2241, 2246.
Slide attachment 2236 of rotation plate 2226 includes apertures
2252 positioned to align with similar apertures 2254 in slide 2216
to receive bolts or another suitable couplers. Spacer 2238 is
coupled, preferably by welding, to slide attachment 2236 and
rotation plate 2226 and includes a hinge pin 2256 extending
upwardly therefrom. Hinge pin 2256 in positioned in hinge void 2242
of lever 2228 to allow lever 2228 to rotate thereon. Hinge member
2240 includes a vertical plate, a horizontally extending, threaded
hinge pin 2258, an upper rotation stop 2260, a lower rotation stop
2262, a lock pin void 2264 and spring attachment void 2241.
Release arm 2248 is a substantially flat piece of metal having
hinge void 2242 defined in a first end 2266 thereof. Push plate
2250 is a substantially flat piece of metal perpendicularly coupled
to a second end 2286 of release arm 2248. Spring attachment void
2246 is disposed in a metal appendage 2270 that extends upwardly
from release arm 2248. Lock pin 2244 extends horizontally from a
metal flange 2272 that extends downwardly from release arm 2248.
Spring 2230 biases lock pin 2244 to a first position within lock
pin void 2264.
Threaded hinge pin 2258 is positioned within attachment void 2221
of attachment portion 2220. Washers 2274, 2276 are positioned on
hinge pin 2258 and a nut 2278 is threaded onto hinge pin 2258 to
rotatably secure attachment portion 2220 of rail member 2212 to
rotation plate 2226 of coupling mechanism 2214. Lock void 2223 is
positioned such that when lever 2228 is in first position and rail
member 2212 is in a raised position, lock pin 2244 extends through
lock pin void 2264 and lock void 2223 to prevent relative motion
between rail member 2212 and deck 2216.
Depressing push plate 2250 places lever 2228 in a second position.
During movement of lever 2228 to the second position, lock pin 2244
is removed from lock void 2223 to permit attachment portion 2220 to
rotate relative to rotation plate 2226 in direction 2280. This also
moves rail member 2212 to a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 136,
138. Clockwise rotation of attach portion 2220 is limited by upper
rotation stop 2260 so that rail member 2212 cannot move beyond the
lowered position. Likewise, from the lowered position, rotation in
counterclockwise direction 2282, moves rail member 2212 to the
raised position. Counterclockwise rotation of attach portion 2220
is limited by lower rotation stop 226 so that rail member 2212
cannot move past the raised position. When in this position, lock
pin 2264 aligns with lock void 2223 as shown in FIGS. 135, 137 to
lock rail member 2212 in the raised position.
A removable rail member 2284 is shown in FIGS. 78 and 79. Rail
member 2284 includes an attachment housing 2286 and a rail member
2288. Attachment housing 2286 is substantially rectangular and is
configured to slidably over rail member 2212 as shown in FIG. 78.
As shown in FIG. 79, rail member 2288 includes a perimeter rail
2290 and two interior support struts 2292 to that couple perimeter
rail 2290 to attachment housing 2286. Rail member 2284 provides
siderail 2210 with greater coverage and permits removal for greater
access to the patient.
Another alternative embodiment blocker 358 is shown in FIG. 80.
Blocker 358 includes a wedge shaped foam core 360 and a cover 362
coupled to a cover 364 of mattress 356. As shown in FIG. 81,
blocker 358 covers or blocks access to gap 354. When siderails 324,
328 are rotated to the lowered position, blocker 358 rotates to the
outside of siderail 324, 328 as shown in FIG. 82. When siderails
324, 328 are raised again, blocker 358 is flipped back over rails
324, 328 to the position shown in FIG. 81.
Another alternative embodiment patient support 2510 is shown in
FIGS. 83 and 84 having a frame 2512, a deck 2514 supported by frame
2512, a mattress 2518 positioned on deck 2514, and siderails 2516
coupled to deck 2514. Each siderail 2516 includes a base 2520, a
linkage 2522, and a rail member 2524.
As shown in FIG. 85, base 2520 includes a vertical plate 2534,
linkage attachment flange 2526 extending from plate 2534, deck
attachment flange 2528 extending from plate 2534, rail attachment
hinge 2530 coupled to plate 2534, and a position lock 2532 coupled
to vertical plate 2534. Plate 2534 is a preferably a substantially
flat metal rectangle. Deck attachment flange 2528 is a flat metal
flange that extends perpendicularly to plate 2534. Deck attachment
flange 2528 is positioned between mattress 2518 and deck 2514 and
has a plurality of apertures (not pictured) defined therein so that
fasteners can be passed through the aperture to fasten base 2520 to
deck 2514. Alternatively, the siderail is coupled to the remainder
of the patent support by the deck attachment flange being
frictionally or otherwise coupled to the deck and/or mattress.
Linkage attachment flange 2526 are flat metal flanges that extend
perpendicularly to plate 2534 away from mattress 2518. Linkage
attachment flange 2526 have holes 2536 defined therein for
receiving a suitable coupler 2538. Rail attachment hinge 2530 is
preferably a strap of seatbelt-like material. Hinge 2530 has a
mating snap at both ends such that the material couples to base
2520 and to rail member 2524 that also has a snap clasp thereon.
Rail attachment hinge 2530 allows rail member 2524 to pivot
relative to base 2520. Position lock 2532 is a plastic piece
mounted on plate 2534. Position lock 2532 is substantially
rectangular and includes rounded corners, a lock track 2540, and
two lips 2542. Lock track 2540 is a channel positioned between lips
2542 that extends along the outer edge of position lock 2532. Lock
track 2540 is sized to receive a lock bar 2544 of linkage 2522.
Position lock 2532 also includes holes 2546 that receive connectors
that couple position lock 2532 to plate 2534.
Linkage 2522 includes a lock bar 2544, two slide base connectors or
linkages 2550 slidably and rotatably coupled to base 2520, and two
rail connectors 2552 fixedly coupled to rail member 2524. Lock bar
2544 is a bent aluminum rod including a first end 2554, second end
2556, and middle 2558 positioned between first end 2554 and second
end 2556. First end 2554 is partially threaded to receive a nut
thereon and is substantially straight. Moving from first end 2554
toward middle 2558, lock bar 2544 makes a rounded 90-degree bend,
has a first displacement section 2560, makes a second 90-degree
bend, and then forms middle 2558 that is parallel with first end
2554. Moving from middle 2558 toward second end 2560 lock bar 2544
makes a rounded 90-degree bend, has a second displacement section
2562 parallel with first displacement section 2560, makes another
90-degree bend, and then forms partially threaded second end 2556
that is collinear with first end 2554. Middle 2558 of lock bar 2544
has a diameter sized to be received within lock track 2540 of
position lock 2532.
Slide base linkages 2550 are generally flat metal elongated members
each having an upper end 2564, a lower end 2566, an elongated hole
or track 2568 defined therein extending from upper end 2564 to
lower end 2566, and a lock bar aperture 2570 at upper end 2564.
Track 2568 is sized to receive coupler 2538 therein so that linkage
2520 is thereby slidably coupled to base 2520 as coupler 2538 is
able to slide to a plurality of positions within track 2568. Lock
bar aperture 2570 is preferably separated from track 2568; however,
embodiments are envisioned where a washer is provided that is
welded over track 2569 thereby partitioning off part of track 2569
that the washer defines the lock bar aperture.
Rail connectors 2552 are flat rounded rectangle metal plates
including lock bar holes 2574 and rail connecting holes 2576. Lock
bar holes 2574 are sized to receive ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar
2544 therethrough. Rail connecting holes 2576 are sized to receive
a suitable connector to couple rail connectors 2552 to rail members
2524. When assembled, ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 extend
through lock bar apertures 2570 of linkages 2522 and holes 2574 of
rail connectors 2552. A nut or other fastener is provided on ends
2554, 2556 to hold lock bar 2544 in the respective apertures.
Rail member 2524 includes an endoskeleton or inner support member
2578 and a cushion 2580. Endoskeleton 2578 is constructed from
plastic or other substantially rigid material having a
substantially triangular cross section. Endoskeleton 2578 includes
a first solid side 2582, a second solid side 2584 coupled to first
solid side 2582, two ends 2586 each coupled to both solid sides
2582, 2584, and an open side defined by sides 2582, 2584 and ends
2586. First solid side 2582 is spaced apart from base 2520 of
siderail 2516. First solid side 2582 curves as it meets second
solid side 2584. Second solid side 2584 has snap clasps attached
thereto to attach to snaps of rail attachment hinge 2530. Ends 2586
are substantially triangular and have holes defined therein for
receiving a suitable connector to couple rail connectors 2552 to
rail members 2524. Cushion 2580 includes a soft inner portion (not
pictured) and a pliable plastic cover 2588. Soft inner portion
covers the outside of endoskeleton 2578 on all sides except the
open side. Inner portion is preferably thicker outside first solid
side 2582 and ends 2586 than it is outside second solid side 2584.
Plastic cover 2588 is preferably liquid proof and combines with
endoskeleton 2578 to encompasses inner portion.
In operation, siderails 2516 may assume three positions, a raised
position, shown in FIGS. 83 and 85, an extended position shown in
FIG. 84, and an egress position shown in FIG. 88. In the raised
position, the portion of cover 2588 outside second side 2584 rests
upon mattress 2518, coupler 2538 is located near the lower end 2566
of track 2568, second solid side 2584 forms a substantially right
angle with plate 2534 of base 2520, and middle 2558 of lock bar
2544 is in lock track 2540 of position lock 2532. To move a
siderail 2516 from raised position to extended position, middle
2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised to disengage lock bar 2544
from lock track 2540. Rail member 2524 can then be rotated relative
to ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 as slide base linkage 2550
lowers relative to coupler 2538 as shown in FIG. 86. Rail
attachment hinge 2530 maintains a connection with base 2520 and
rail member 2524 so that rail member 2524 rotates around a pivot
provided by rail attachment hinge 2530. Rail member 2524 rotates
slightly less than 180-degrees to arrive at extended position shown
in FIGS. 84 and 87. Similarly, rotating rail member 2524 back into
contact with mattress 2518 and engaging lock bar 2544 in lock track
2540 places siderail 2516 back in raised position.
To move siderail 2516 from the raised position to the egress
position middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised to disengage
lock bar 2544 from lock track 2540. Rail attachment 2530 is
disengaged from base 2520 or rail member 2524 thereby allowing rail
member 2524 and linkage 2522 to rotate around coupler 2538 of
linkage attachment 2530. Rail member 2524 rotates to arrive at
egress position shown in FIG. 88. Similarly, rotating rail member
2524 back into contact with mattress 2518, attaching rail
attachment 2530 to base 2520 and rail member 2524, and engaging
lock bar 2544 in lock track 2540 places siderail 2516 back in
raised position.
Preferably, instructions for the assembly, installation, and/or use
of the patient supports and other devices disclosed herein are
provided with the patient supports of other devices or otherwise
communicated to permit a person or machine to assemble, install
and/or use the patient supports and other devices. Such
instructions may include a description of any or all portions of
patient supports and devices and/or any or all of the
above-described assembly, installation, and use of the patient
supports and devices. Furthermore, such instructions may describe
the environment in which patient supports and devices are used. The
instructions may be provided on separate papers and/or the
packaging in which the patient support or other devices are sold or
shipped. Furthermore, the instructions may be embodied as text,
pictures, audio, video, or any other medium or method of
communicating instructions known to those of ordinary skill in the
art.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference
to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications
exist within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *